Traders in Kisumu have pledged their unwavering support for President William Ruto, praising him as a development-driven leader who deserves a second term in office. They also vowed to stay away from anti-government protests, insisting that progress and peace must take precedence.
Their endorsement follows a major empowerment gesture by Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo, who on Wednesday handed over five tuk tuks to mama mboga groups, boda boda operators, and small-scale traders. The initiative, spearheaded through the Kisumu Community Health and Development (KCHAD) Community-Based Organization, aims to strengthen grassroots economic activity and uplift livelihoods.
“We are thanking our President William Samoei Ruto, and we also thank the PS Interior for this great kindness,” said one beneficiary during the handover event.
Kisumu Bus Park Chairman Shem Ochuodho lauded the government for what he called “true human empowerment,” and urged for similar interventions across the county.
“I take this opportunity to thank our PS Raymond Omollo for bringing us empowerment on the ground. We also thank our President for allowing him to come and give the youth jobs. This government has given us peace. We cannot go for protests when we are receiving development,” Ochuodho stated.
The traders also applauded Kisumu residents for avoiding the recent anti-government demonstrations led by Generation Z, noting the city’s focus remains firmly on development, not disruption. However, they appealed to President Ruto to establish factories in Kisumu to create more job opportunities for unemployed youth.
“We did well by not taking to the streets. That war is not ours. Those people know what they lost and are angry at us. What we need is development—nothing else. Ruto, tutam,” another trader declared, using local slang to signal firm support.
The tuk tuk distribution is part of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s broader agenda to empower informal sector players, stimulate entrepreneurship, and deliver tangible development at the grassroots.
